14 August 2004	Saturday	27 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

KARACHI, Aug 13: A gang of kidnappers comprising sons of senior government officials was busted in Manchester (UK) and Karachi soon after the release of a hostage in Defence Housing Authority , the chief of the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee said on Friday.

On June 11, Ahmed Naeem, son of Mohammad Ahmed, was kidnapped in the Defence Housing Authority. The kidnappers had demanded Rs50 million in ransom for the release of the victim. The victim's father, Mohammad Ahmed, head of the Shahnawaz Motors, which exclusively deals in Mercedes, reported the matter to the CPLC.

CPLC chief Sharfuddin Memon formed a team of members of his organization and the Anti-Violence Crime Cell (AVCC) to handle the case. During the investigations, they traced the calls originating from Manchester. Subsequently, the CPLC sought assistance of the Interpol. Meanwhile telephonic negotiations over the ransom amount continued and a final deal was struck at 56,000 pounds sterling (Rs6.1 million).

On Thursday, the ransom amount was delivered to the kidnappers in Manchester. Following the release of Naeem in the DHA, the Manchester police arrested Mujeeb Khan Bhutto and Ghulam Murtaza Bhutto, both sons of Rano Khan Bhutto, Senior Preventive Officer of Customs.

Their accomplice, Saeed Naqi, was also taken into custody by the Manchester police. The Manchester police joined in the interrogation with their counter parts in Karachi, which led to the arrest of Fida Khoso, son of Nadir Khan Khoso, DPO of Larkana; and Junaid Ansari, son of Rehman Ansari, Deputy Controller of the KBCA.

The CPLC and police are exploring ways to get the custody of the three suspects arrested by the Manchester police in the absence of a formal extradition treaty between the two countries.

CPLC Chief Sharfuddin Memon told Dawn that following the release of the victim and the subsequent arrests, both the Manchester police and the AVCC were facing problems in getting the custody of the three suspects nabbed in the United Kingdom.

"Warrants for the arrest of the three suspects will be issued by a judicial magistrate in Karachi, initiating the process for the custody of the suspects," the CPLC chief said.

The police have also detained customs officer Rano Khan Bhutto. The gang in the past had reportedly kidnapped a builder, Mohammad Ali, and had received a ransom of Rs700,000 in Manchester.

OPERATION LAUDED: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Friday lauded the role of the Sindh police and the CPLC in recovering a kidnap victim and arresting members of the international gang involved in kidnapping for ransom, adds PPI.

He was talking to Inspector-General Syed Kamal Shah and CPLC chief Sharfuddin Memon, who called on him in his office. Dr Ibad directed that the investigations be completed keeping in view the relevant rules.